by Lindsay H. Jones, USA TODAY Sports

by Lindsay H. Jones, USA TODAY Sports

A day before his first NFL practice, linebacker Manti Te'o has signed his rookie contract with the San Diego Chargers.

Te'o, the No. 38 overall pick in last month's NFL draft, was one of four Chargers rookies to sign their contracts Thursday after arriving in San Diego for the team's rookie minicamp, which begins Friday.

Details of Te'o's contract were not immediately available, but the No. 38 pick in last year's draft, Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Andre Branch, received a signing bonus of $2.14 million as part of his four-year, $5.1 million contract.

Te'o, the Heisman Trophy finalist from Notre Dame, tumbled out of the first round of the draft because of football concerns following his poor play in the national championship game against Alabama, a slow 40-yard dash at the scouting combine, and the off-field field issues involving a fake online girlfriend.

The Chargers traded up in the second round. He is projected to start at inside linebacker, alongside Donald Butler.